Artist Statement
My sculpture employs movement and interaction to realise the essence of a figurative subject. Born in Derbyshire, the countryside has provided me with a rich source of inspiration. Also my passion for music has often informed my designs.
My love of automata comes from way back in my childhood. Whereby, I used to spend many happy hours in my father’s shed, trying to make different whirligigs and moving animals, using off cuts of wood and scraps of wire. The most important factor, both then and now, is the movement. To me, this element is responsible for the characters magic, affording and displaying their individual personalities.
As sustainability is paramount in today’s society I endeavour to re-use and recycle as much as possible. Therefore, my work is predominantly made from recycled tins, drift wood and other found items. These are often enhanced using printing and other surface decorating techniques.
An important concept behind my work is that it offers the viewer a momentary escape from the stresses of everyday life.
